Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
Show all topics
Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
Modern Studies
15 Dec 2025
413
4 pages
Amy McLaughlin @amymclaughlin_22
Ever wondered how politicians keep the government in check? Parliamentary scrutiny is the process where MPs and Lords... Show more
Parliamentary committees are where the real action happens when it comes to holding the government accountable. These groups bring together MPs from different political parties to focus on specific issues, question ministers, examine legislation, and conduct investigations.
What makes committees so powerful is their cross-party membership. Since they include MPs from various parties, they're less likely to go easy on the government - opposition members will naturally challenge government policies. Plus, committee members develop genuine expertise in their specific areas, making their questioning more informed and passionate.
A brilliant example of this was when Yvette Cooper, chairing the Home Affairs Committee, exposed that the government had no clue how many people were entering the UK during COVID-19. The relevant minister faced intense questioning on live television - talk about being put on the spot!
Key Point Committee hearings are televised, creating maximum public pressure on government ministers to explain their actions properly.
However, there's a catch. The government can control which topics committees debate and even choose when (or if) to publish their findings. For instance, the UK government conveniently delayed publishing a report about Russian interference in the EU referendum until after the 2019 election - suspicious timing, right?
The House of Lords offers a unique form of government scrutiny because Lords serve for life, meaning they don't need to worry about losing their jobs for criticising the government. This freedom, combined with their specialist expertise, makes them formidable government watchdogs.
Lords are appointed based on their knowledge and experience, so they bring serious expertise to political debates. They can take time to properly analyse bills and policies, then use their knowledge to challenge ministers effectively. Since they're not fighting for re-election, they can be brutally honest in their assessments.
In the first year of the 2019 parliament, the Lords forced the government to change its approach to trade deals with countries committing genocide. This shows how Lords can genuinely influence government policy when they put their minds to it.
Key Point Life appointments mean Lords can scrutinise without fear of political consequences - a major advantage over MPs.
But here's the problem many Lords receive their peerage from the Prime Minister, creating an obvious loyalty issue. Plus, with nearly 800 members (compared to 650 MPs), the House of Lords can be unwieldy and less effective than it should be.
Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) and ministerial question times give MPs the chance to directly challenge government ministers in front of live audiences. These sessions create real pressure as ministers must defend their actions publicly, often on live television.
The 2021 "cash for curtains scandal" saw Boris Johnson grilled live on air, attracting massive media attention. This kind of high-profile questioning allows voters to see their leaders under pressure and make their own judgements about government competence.
These sessions work because they're immediate, direct, and very public. When a minister stumbles during questioning, everyone sees it happen in real-time.
Key Point Live broadcasting of parliamentary questions creates maximum public accountability and media attention.
However, there's a fundamental flaw in this system. Most MPs belong to the governing party, so many questions come from the PM's own supporters. Conservative MPs would ask softball questions like "Will the Prime Minister thank vaccine volunteers?" even when serious scandals were breaking.
With only limited time and seats available, opposition MPs struggle to get enough opportunities to properly challenge the government. The system favours friendly questions over genuine scrutiny.
While all three methods play important roles in parliamentary democracy, committee scrutiny emerges as the most effective way to hold government accountable. Unlike the Lords, committees include members from different parties who actively challenge each other's views.
Unlike Commons questions, committees aren't dominated by government supporters asking easy questions. The cross-party membership ensures genuine scrutiny happens, while specialist focus means MPs actually know what they're talking about.
Committees combine the best elements of both other methods they offer specialist expertise like the Lords, plus direct questioning opportunities like PMQs, but without the major weaknesses that limit those systems.
Key Point The combination of cross-party membership and specialist expertise makes committees the government's toughest critics.
Of course, no system is perfect - the government can still control what gets published and when. But overall, if you want to see politicians really holding the government's feet to the fire, parliamentary committees are where the action is.
The beauty of this system is that it gives opposition parties genuine power to challenge government decisions, ensuring that democracy doesn't just mean "winner takes all" after elections.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
6
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Amy McLaughlin
@amymclaughlin_22
Ever wondered how politicians keep the government in check? Parliamentary scrutiny is the process where MPs and Lords challenge and hold the government accountable for their actions and decisions. This system has three main methods: committee scrutiny, House of Lords... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Parliamentary committees are where the real action happens when it comes to holding the government accountable. These groups bring together MPs from different political parties to focus on specific issues, question ministers, examine legislation, and conduct investigations.
What makes committees so powerful is their cross-party membership. Since they include MPs from various parties, they're less likely to go easy on the government - opposition members will naturally challenge government policies. Plus, committee members develop genuine expertise in their specific areas, making their questioning more informed and passionate.
A brilliant example of this was when Yvette Cooper, chairing the Home Affairs Committee, exposed that the government had no clue how many people were entering the UK during COVID-19. The relevant minister faced intense questioning on live television - talk about being put on the spot!
Key Point: Committee hearings are televised, creating maximum public pressure on government ministers to explain their actions properly.
However, there's a catch. The government can control which topics committees debate and even choose when (or if) to publish their findings. For instance, the UK government conveniently delayed publishing a report about Russian interference in the EU referendum until after the 2019 election - suspicious timing, right?
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The House of Lords offers a unique form of government scrutiny because Lords serve for life, meaning they don't need to worry about losing their jobs for criticising the government. This freedom, combined with their specialist expertise, makes them formidable government watchdogs.
Lords are appointed based on their knowledge and experience, so they bring serious expertise to political debates. They can take time to properly analyse bills and policies, then use their knowledge to challenge ministers effectively. Since they're not fighting for re-election, they can be brutally honest in their assessments.
In the first year of the 2019 parliament, the Lords forced the government to change its approach to trade deals with countries committing genocide. This shows how Lords can genuinely influence government policy when they put their minds to it.
Key Point: Life appointments mean Lords can scrutinise without fear of political consequences - a major advantage over MPs.
But here's the problem: many Lords receive their peerage from the Prime Minister, creating an obvious loyalty issue. Plus, with nearly 800 members (compared to 650 MPs), the House of Lords can be unwieldy and less effective than it should be.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) and ministerial question times give MPs the chance to directly challenge government ministers in front of live audiences. These sessions create real pressure as ministers must defend their actions publicly, often on live television.
The 2021 "cash for curtains scandal" saw Boris Johnson grilled live on air, attracting massive media attention. This kind of high-profile questioning allows voters to see their leaders under pressure and make their own judgements about government competence.
These sessions work because they're immediate, direct, and very public. When a minister stumbles during questioning, everyone sees it happen in real-time.
Key Point: Live broadcasting of parliamentary questions creates maximum public accountability and media attention.
However, there's a fundamental flaw in this system. Most MPs belong to the governing party, so many questions come from the PM's own supporters. Conservative MPs would ask softball questions like "Will the Prime Minister thank vaccine volunteers?" even when serious scandals were breaking.
With only limited time and seats available, opposition MPs struggle to get enough opportunities to properly challenge the government. The system favours friendly questions over genuine scrutiny.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
While all three methods play important roles in parliamentary democracy, committee scrutiny emerges as the most effective way to hold government accountable. Unlike the Lords, committees include members from different parties who actively challenge each other's views.
Unlike Commons questions, committees aren't dominated by government supporters asking easy questions. The cross-party membership ensures genuine scrutiny happens, while specialist focus means MPs actually know what they're talking about.
Committees combine the best elements of both other methods: they offer specialist expertise like the Lords, plus direct questioning opportunities like PMQs, but without the major weaknesses that limit those systems.
Key Point: The combination of cross-party membership and specialist expertise makes committees the government's toughest critics.
Of course, no system is perfect - the government can still control what gets published and when. But overall, if you want to see politicians really holding the government's feet to the fire, parliamentary committees are where the action is.
The beauty of this system is that it gives opposition parties genuine power to challenge government decisions, ensuring that democracy doesn't just mean "winner takes all" after elections.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
6
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology